The Gates County varsity football team dominated Friday’s home field conference game against Manteo, dropping the Redskins 41-14.

Although Manteo scored first on a 65 yard pass from Bryson Sawyer to Claveon Rice early in the first quarter, Gates County responded to tie the score 7-7 just two minutes later. Taking control of the second quarter, the Red Barons added a second touchdown on a 25 yard run midway through the quarter followed by a Manteo fumble with less than a minute to play that set up a third Red Baron score with just 4 seconds remaining in the half. The one point after kick gave Gates County a 20-7 halftime lead.

It was all Gates in the third quarter, where the Red Barons were on the scoreboard again with an 11 yard pass play. The point after kick put the Red Barons up 27-7 with 3:36 left in the period.

Fourth quarter action was almost a repeat of the third with Gates taking the ball in for an early touchdown making it a 34-7 ballgame. With about 4 minutes left in the game, Gates scored once more on the right side of the line and the kick after gave Gates a 41-7 lead.

As the clock ticked off the final minutes of the game remaining, the Redskins were able to put together a drive and with 44 seconds left to play, Sawyer connected with Darren Saunders, open receiver in the end-zone, for Manteo’s second score. The kick by Ryan McOwen made it the game-ending 41-14.

Leading the Redskins offense, Wes Mitchum had 10 carries for 44 yards and Claveon Rice had 4 carries for 25 yards.

This week Manteo will host Camden County for a 7:30 p.m. homecoming game Friday at Manteo High School.